Rather than wait for Bobby Abreu to write himself after a very slow start, the Angels released the veteran outfielder/DH and called up top prospect Mike Trout. The Angels are mired in a terrible start themselves and are taking a proactive approach to correcting the problem.
The Angels released Abreu owing him $9 million for 2012. “It was a tough situation,” Abreu said. “The way that I was playing I knew I was going to be in my situation. I had to get ready for every opportunity. We talked about that in spring training so it was all good. It was no surprise.”
Earlier the Angels announced that last year’s phenom closer Jordan Walden will be replaced by veteran Scott Downs has a new closer.
Mike Trout is off to a tremendous start at Triple-A Salt Lake. He is presently hitting.403, over his first 20 games. the Angels find themselves 9 1/2 games back of the Texas Rangers already and it’s only April. They stand at 6-14 on the year.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia, is anxious to see how Trout can do. “This is a young, exciting player who’s going to come up and hopefully start to come up,” Scioscia said. “He’s going to play.” It looks as though Mike Trout may be here to stay. He batted .220 in 40 games with Los Angeles last season, but in parts of four seasons in the minors is a .342 hitter with 108 stolen bases.
